El Aynaoui aims to become Roma's midfield leader after World Cup breakthrough
Squad News·21 June 2026·3h ago

El Aynaoui aims to become Roma's midfield leader after World Cup breakthrough

Source: Forza Roma

Neil El Aynaoui featured in all minutes of Morocco's first two World Cup matches and is determined to establish himself as a key midfielder at Roma following an inconsistent start to his Roma career. The midfielder's physical attributes—speed, dynamism, and work rate—align closely with Gasperini's tactical demands of high pressing, quick transitions, and two-phase play. At the World Cup, El Aynaoui ranks in the top five midfielders for tackles won (15) and defensive contributions (16), and dominated against Scotland alongside Saibari.

At Roma, El Aynaoui has underperformed relative to his €25 million transfer fee, scoring sparingly despite averaging 8 goals in 24 appearances for Lens. His Roma struggles partly stem from Gasperini's tactical instructions to drop deeper for build-up play rather than push forward, where he was most dangerous at his previous club. Niccolò Pisilli is also expected to develop further in midfield, and the club may keep Manu Koné—despite interest from Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea—to avoid excessive squad churn in that department.

Gasperini expects a marked improvement from El Aynaoui and Pisilli as Roma aims to have four reliable starting midfielders for both Serie A and Champions League competition. El Aynaoui must regain the confidence and creative boldness he displays with Morocco, where he plays alongside the technically proficient Bouaddi. Ricky Massara assured supporters last summer: "He's strong, you will see."

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Gasperini avrà bisogno di trovare nuove soluzioni per la mediana e un futuro titolare potrebbe già essere a Trigoria Federico Liuti 21 giugno - 16:54 Ibiza giallorossa: Mancini e Pellegrini fanno impazzire di gioia il pizzaiolo romanista Neil El Aynaoui è l'unico giallorosso ad aver disputato tutti i minuti delle prime due partite del Mondiale - e non può essere un caso. Dopo il centrocampo del suo Marocco, nei prossimi mesi l'ex Lens ha intenzione di prendersi anche quello della Roma convincendo finalmente Gasperini a puntare su di lui. Non è esclusa la partenza di Manu Koné (seguito da Arsenal, Tottenham e Chelsea), ma in ogni caso i giallorossi avranno bisogno di trovare nuove soluzioni per la mediana e un futuro titolare potrebbe già essere a Trigoria. Dinamismo, recuperi e duelli: così è decisivo col Marocco Ha un motore diverso dagli altri, una rapidità e una falcata che spesso gli permettono quasi di essere in due zone del campo contemporaneamente. Un profilo adatto al calcio di Gasperini fatto di transizioni, recuperi alti e squadre che spesso si allungano e lasciano metri di spazio a centrocampo. Neil è il prototipo di mediano in grado di svolgere le due fasi ad alto livello, anche se finora lo ha mostrato davvero poco se non contro il Midtjylland (primo gol in Europa) e il Bologna (gol e assist). Con il Marocco gioca sempre in un centrocampo a due, ma con accanto un profilo più tecnico come Bouaddi in grado di impostare anche sotto pressione. Tanta sostanza, garra e una capacità di recuperare palloni rara anche per giocatori di quel livello: è nella top 5 dei centrocampisti del Mondiale per duelli vinti (15) e contributi difensivi (16). Anche contro la Scozia, dove è stato il migliore in campo dopo Saibari (autore del gol vittoria), ha giocato praticamente ovunque dominando contro McTominay e Ferguson. La sua heatmap contro la Scozia (11,5 km percorsi) A Roma tanti alti e bassi: dove deve migliorareA Roma ha segnato fin troppo poco per un calciatore da 8 gol in 24 partite con il Lens, forse anche "a causa" di Gasperini che più spesso gli chiede di abbassarsi tra i difensori per impostare. Neil è un centrocampista più completo rispetto a Koné (anche in Bundesliga il francese non ha mai segnato più di 2 gol a stagione), ma sicuramente deve migliorare nella pulizia tecnica sotto pressione e nell'impostazione, dove si ritrova a giocare da ultimo uomo. Non è un mediano di qualità - come poteva essere Paredes - ma ha doti fisiche che hanno impressionato più di qualche club europeo e lo rendono un interprete cucito per le richieste del calcio del 2026. Deve migliorare e trovare più continuità, anche all'interno della stessa partita. Spesso ha ancora paura di rischiare la giocata e finisce per commettere errori banali. Con il Marocco gioca con più sicurezza e una personalità che all'Olimpico raramente ha fatto intravedere. Getty Images Le aspettative per la stagione 2026-27Ci sono ancora mesi di mercato all'orizzonte, ma il futuro di Neil - almeno per questa stagione - non sembra essere in dubbio. Gasperini di certo si aspetta un salto di qualità e lo stesso vale per Niccolò Pisilli, che la Roma ha blindato respingendo diverse offerte anche dalla Premier League. Il centrocampo sarà il reparto che vedrà meno movimenti (a maggior ragione se dovesse restare Manu) e per questo ci sarà bisogno di uno step generale per arrivare ad avere (almeno) quattro titolari affidabili in vista di campionato e Champions. Neil si aspetta di avere più minuti, ma dovrà guadagnarseli ritrovando quei bagliori che hanno illuminato il centrocampo della Roma ad intermittenza - magari giocando anche più vicino alla porta dove può essere determinante come Pisilli. Quasi 25 milioni di euro spesi per portarlo a Trigoria, un prezzo che finora è stato ingombrante soprattutto nei suoi pensieri. Dopo il Mondiale El Aynaoui vuole prendersi anche la mediana di Gasperini e rispettare le parole di Ricky Massara che la scorsa estate aveva assicurato: "È forte, vedrete...". © RIPRODUZIONE RISERVATA Commenta Continua la lettura Calciomercato AS Roma Dalla Turchia: il Fenerbahce insiste per Greenwood. Nuova offerta al Marsiglia Calciomercato AS Roma Dybala-Roma, rinnovo vicino: distanza di circa 600mila euro. Gasp spinge per la firma News AS Roma Mancini: "Non vedo l'ora di giocare la Champions con la Roma. Rinnovo? Stiamo parlando" Calciomercato AS Roma Mercato Roma, piace Bellanova: l'Atalanta fissa il prezzo. Lo segue anche il Fulham Commenti Invia Commento Tutti Leggi altri commenti

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